Giant bump

[Nelbert19]

Hello all

Just returned from the midwife for my 32 week appointment and am measuring 3-4 weeks ahead 😨 I was already in the 95th centile at my 28 week appointment, but am now off the chart.

I have a normal BMI and there is no glucose in my urine. I am carrying my bump quite high and I wonder if this is effecting the measurement?

Obviously there are no GTTs at the moment and midwife didn’t want to test blood glucose yet. She was happy to see me again in 4 weeks, but I’ve insisted on another appointment in 2 weeks so I’d be able to be referred for a 36 week growth scan.

Has anyone else had a giant bump but resulted in a healthy baby? Did you have to be induced/have a c section, or did you manage normal vaginal delivery? If so, were there complications eg tearing/needing forceps etc?

Sorry for all the questions, bit panicked that I appear to have accidentally grown a toddler! Please tell me your experiences

My sister had a giant bump on both her pregnancies. First baby went passed his due date and she got induced. Second baby came early. Her babies were quiet big 😂 all turned out fine

Oh sorry and she had no tearing etc.

Hi @Nelbert19, I have recently been having similar problem. At my 32 week appointment my bump was measuring 37cm so I was sent for a growth scan to check on size of baby but also to ensure no excess fluid (polyhydramnios). I had a scan the next day and baby is measuring on 85th centile however I know these scans are not always accurate but they did find no excess fluid which was the main concern. I suppose I will see in the next 6 weeks exactly how big baby is but I'm hoping he is just a normal size! Definitely discussing getting glucose test to ease ur mind and pushing for a growth scan for size and excess fluid is a good option however it may just be like you said the way you carry and the position of baby as these factors apparently can influence the fundal height measurement. Someone told me this is only around 20% accurate?? Good luck and I hope all is ok and there isn't a toddler growing in there 😂

Don't worry too much about bump measurements, they're really not that accurate! Mine were off the chart, then dwindled down somewhat. Growth scans put him at 90th percentile, so fairly big, but not the above 97th that my bump suggested. Bump measurements are now more in line with scans at nearly 39 weeks.

You may also have more amniotic fluid than average, which can make a big impact. I have a lot of fluid (within normal range but upper of normal) which probably accounts for some of it. Often that fluid reduces as you get nearer to your due date too.

So basically I'd say don't worry! Your growth scan will tell you what you need to know and baby is unlikely to be a monster!

I had a giant bump, it was all amniotic fluid (and a huge baby). Measured 3-4 weeks over at 35 week appointment. 4-5 weeks over at 40 weeks.
I was knocked one day and thought I was leaking fluid, midwives put it down to urine. But then bump started to get bigger.
I had an extra scan and nothing was found except extra fluid which they couldn't explain.
When my waters went, they were worried the cord would come out with the rush. I had to go down on all fours and call triage. I was then able to feel that no cord was sticking out.
Went up to hospital, so they could check and because contractions had only just started, they sent me home. Was home for 5 minutes and contractions sped up, so headed back to hospital.
I wasn't allowed a home birth or birthing pool, was monitored heavily and a healthy DS arrived very quickly.
I would push for a scan if I were you, just to make sure. I'd also recommend looking after the skin on your belly, mine has never recovered.

My bump was always spot on (according to midwife) and their measurements, and she was born tiny, 2 centile..i couldn't believe they are using a measuring tape to establish baby's growth...if you are really worried, ask for a scan..but i would not worry..i don't think those measurements are accurate..

Both my bumps were enormous. I'm 5'3 and size 10, so quite petite, and consistently measured two weeks ahead - no growth scans offered. At 10 days overdue DD1 was born 9lb 2oz, vaginal delivery with 2nd degree tear. Managed with just gas and air but it was hard, over an hour of pushing and her head was really stuck for a while.

DD2 also went 11 days overdue. All the way through, midwives opinion was "you've had a big baby before, your body can clearly cope!". Also after well over an hour of pushing, things were getting nowhere and ended with an EMCS (failure to progress) and she was 10lb 7oz! They literally said "wow, here's your toddler" as she came out 😂

I've felt a lot of frustration over DD2s birth, as it was pretty clear she'd be big - that I had no growth scans, that I was allowed to get to 11 days overdue, would it have been any different. But on reflection, all that could have been offered was early induction, which may still have ended in a CS, so I'd have probably chosen to wait anyway.

On the positive side, while they were both big, the births were still relatively straightforward and I had no issues with recovery afterwards. Our bodies are incredible!!

My bump was massive. Measured 3 weeks ahead at one point. Had to go for a growth scan. He was born at 8lbs exactly so it might not be all baby!

Thanks guys, that’s really helpful. I’ve booked a private growth scan for Saturday to hopefully reassure myself because I’ll either explode or have a nervous breakdown if I wait 4 weeks for the NHS one!

Thank you for your tips @OneBigMother - am already slathering on the bio oil!

Just to add, a PP made a great point about the skin on your stomach. After DD1 it was improving after a couple of years. DD2 is now 16 months and there's still SO much excess wrinkled skin. I wish I'd have moisturised more!